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Chief Executive Brian Caldwell speaks after the appointment of the club’s new Executive Board members. Caldwell discusses the recent overcrowding in the away end against Celtic, as well as Lennon Miller speculation.

He touches on the recent trip to Hampden and the financial benefit that will have on the club.

Motherwell FC and The Well Society officially opened the club’s Memorial Garden, after months of hard work by volunteers and the assistance of local businesses.

Nestling in the shadow of Fir Park, the garden will provide a quiet space for reflection and an area for Well fans to remember loved ones. Fans also have the option to inter ashes and hold short services to mark a loved one’s passing.

Work began in 2023 to transform the previously named “Reading Garden”, after The Well Society were contacted by a relative of a Well fan whose ashes were scattered there. She asked that some attention be given to the garden, which had become overgrown.

Thanks to a grant from North Lanarkshire Council’s RecoverNL fund, and support from local building and gardening suppliers, the garden has bloomed from an untidy scrap of land to a well-defined and restful Memorial Garden of which Motherwell fans can be rightly proud.

“Football provides so many memorable moments, often in the company of family and friends,” Well Society development manager Sally Hall said.

“When they’ve passed it’s nice to remember the good times, and we’re are proud to be able to restore this space so fans can do just that.

“We are indebted not only to NLC, local businesses and the ground staff here at the club, but to a large number of Well Society members who gave up their time to help. Special mention must go to Jim Wright and John Lowry for their time, advice and building expertise and to Tom, John and Billy from Carluke Men’s Shed, who were also integral to the project.”

“We know how much the club means to our fans,” chief executive Brian Caldwell said.

“This combined effort ensures we can provide our community with a space where they can feel connected to the club and to their loved ones. It has been great to see so many people work together to deliver the project and the creation of what is now a fitting Memorial Garden for our local community.”

“It is wonderful to see the memorial garden at Fir Park revitalised using the RecoverNL grant and for it to become a peaceful community space where people can spend time for remembrance and reflection,” Provost Kenneth Duffy added.

“The club is truly a part of the local community and this is a meaningful way of connecting people to their loved ones, the club and their community.”

Provost Duffy cut the ribbon to officially open the Memorial Garden. The club are planning a re-dedication event for families next spring when the garden will be in full bloom. Anyone whose loved one’s ashes are scattered at Fir Park should get in touch: well.society@motherwellfc.co.uk. Details on funerals and remembrance services can be found here.

As well as NLC and The Well Society, support was received from Thornbridge Timber, Origin Amenity Solutions, JW Grant, Paterson’s Memorials, Avia Signs and Rosebank Garden Centre.

Motherwell Football Club and majority shareholder, The Well Society, have strengthened their leadership teams with key board appointments. 

Kyrk Macmillan, Chief Executive Officer of Scottish fashion brand Bee Inspired, joins as Club Chair. He is joined on the Executive Board by digital marketing chief executive Greg Anderson and Professor Grant Jarvie, Director of Academy Sport at the University of Edinburgh. 

Kyrk, originally from East Kilbride, brings 11 years’ experience of commercial and operational director roles in the Nordics, where he was selected as one of the top three young business talents in Denmark. 

Kyrk has worked on commercial projects in conjunction with English and Danish premiership clubs and has family ties to the club board at Hertha Berlin where his father in law has served on the board for several years. In Denmark, he also held the role of Chief Executive at a large Danish retail business.

 “It is a true honour and privilege to be elected as Chairman of Motherwell Football club,” he said. 

“I started coming to games 30 years ago with my father and grandfather. I have been amazed by the dedication and passion of both the Well Society and Club staff. 

“I have had the fortune of building relationships with the Well Society board members, and we share a common vision of ensuring close collaboration between the club and Society, building on core values of transparency, community and integrity. 

“The Well Society elections and the publication of the vision document – ‘Our Club, Our Future’ – has shown that we have an incredibly skilled and energised community, and we must ensure we provide a platform and culture of unity, and which brings that to fruition. 

“Having the opportunity to lead the Executive Board as Chairman is an opportunity that I could not be prouder and more excited to undertake to ensure we provide the platform for success both off and on the pitch.” 

Elected Well Society Board Member Greg Anderson, a long-time sponsor of the club, said: “It’s a tremendous honour to join the Club Executive Board. 

“I am under no illusions as to the required hours and hard work that lie ahead in ensuring our clubs staff are fully supported in developing the club off the park to ensure we have the very best resources to be successful on the park on a match day.” 

Originally from Bellshill and a lifelong Motherwell supporter Grant is currently Chair of Sport at the University of Edinburgh. A well-known name in the world of sport and education, Grant has held roles both within and external to university higher education sector and the football industry having worked with a number of clubs including FC Barcelona.

“I have been fortunate enough to see what football can do to help communities all over the world,” he stated. “As a town and diaspora of big hearts, broad shoulders and bold dreams, Motherwell has a heritage of legendary sports figures and moments but also has a football and Well Society whose future is focused on serving communities, players and fans. I look forward to helping Motherwell be the very best it can be.” 

The Well Society’s Tom Feely continues as Club Executive Board Director along with Chief Executive Brian Caldwell and Financial Director David Lindsay. 

Graham Keys has stepped down from his role as Company Secretary after 12 years’ service but will continue to assist the Club as required. We thank Graham for all his dedication, support and advice. 

The Well Society Board 

Philip Speedie, a programme manager in the Scottish financial sector, and former stadium announcer, is elected as Chair of The Well Society. Philip was at the forefront of the defence of fan ownership, initiated the Society’s workstream focus, involving a wider range of contributors, and was instrumental to the development of the plan for growth – ‘Our Club, Our Future’. 

Tom Feely and Amber Johnstone have been elected as Vice-Chairs. Alison Thewliss, David Cullinan and Kevin Rogers have been co-opted, following competitive interview and selection, to take the Well Society Board to its maximum 12 directors. 

A lifelong Motherwell fan, Alison is Chair of the urban regeneration company, Clyde Gateway. A former MP and councillor, she brings significant experience of governance, stakeholder and membership engagement. 

David has over 10 years of experience in the finance and tech sectors, showcasing a proven track record of success. 
Kevin was formerly CEO of Paycare, a major sponsor of Motherwell FC, and is Chair of the Wolves Foundation, the Premier League club’s official charity. He brings over 30 years in senior management experience across the health, manufacturing, automotive and construction sectors.

“Motherwell is a special place, and a special club with so much potential,” Brian Caldwell said. 

“We were the first to embrace fan ownership, which brings unique opportunities. 

“I’ve spoken openly about the strength of the relationship between myself as Chief Executive, the Executive Team, The Well Society, The Community Trust and others. 

“Today’s key leadership appointments at the Football Club and The Well Society – announced together – strengthen our focus and signal a shared ambition for the future of this football club. This is a key moment for our club, our fans and community and I look forward to working with the strengthened team.” 

Philip Speedie added: “Not only are we ambitious, climbing the league table on the park, but we’ve a shared vision off the park – to accelerate our success as Scotland’s first top-flight fan owned football club. 

“‘Our Club, Our Future’ represents a realistic and ambitious plan for growth. Refreshing our leadership, governance, growth and engagement models were key elements of our plans for the coming years.” 

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell takes heart from the four previous encounters with Celtic in his time at the club. Two draws at Celtic Park and conceding two stoppage time goals mean his team have shown in the past that they can compete with the Champions. 

Kettlewell looks ahead to what is a busy seven days for the club, facing Celtic first, before a trip to Tannadice on Wednesday night and then the semi final against Rangers at Hampden.

Motherwell Football Club Community Trust’s Over-50s Walking Football team tasted league title success after clinching the Walking Football Scotland O50s West Premiership title last week.

The Steelmen finished three points ahead of nearest rivals Saint Anthony’s, and four clear of third-placed Pollok United in a closely-fought league campaign. Motherwell concluded the season with 10-wins from 16, scoring 28-times whilst encountering only two defeats.

Motherwell rounded off the Premiership season, with three straight victories, defeating Giffnock, Whitletts Victoria, and St. Anthony’s; scoring nine goals.

The league table consisted of nine teams, with Motherwell facing Giffnock SC Auld Timers, Towhead Strollers, Braehead FC, Whitletts Victoria, St. Anthony’s, Pollok United, North Lanarkshire Council, and Dumbarton FC.

“This is an excellent achievement from the squad,” Coach, Andrew Thompson added.

“The squad have worked hard throughout the season, and have produced some excellent performances.

“I’m delighted to see their hard work paying off.”

Motherwell Football Club are proudly continuing their support of Show Racism the Red Card’s Match Actions Campaign during our match against Dundee on Saturday 19 October.

Show Racism the Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism Education Charity, working within schools, workplaces, sports, and community organisations to educate children, young people, and adults on challenging prejudice and stereotypes.

Using the power of football is a powerful tool to initiate conversations about anti-racism and our club has supported their messages of tolerance and inclusion for many years. Now more than ever, the importance of active anti-racism cannot be overstated.

Across Scottish football, clubs will show their commitment to anti-racism over one weekend – Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20^th October.

This weekend also coincides with Show Racism the Red Card’s UK-wide annual fundraising drive, Wear Red Day, taking place on Friday 18th. On this day, individuals and groups up and down the country are encouraged to wear red and donate to show their support for the campaign and its message.

“We are delighted once again that Scottish football is supporting our much-needed anti-racist message,” Campaign Manager from Show Racism the Red Card in Scotland Billy Singh said.

“With the recent race riots in England and the continued demonisation of migrant communities across the UK we all have a collective responsibility to challenge all acts of racism not only within football but in our communities, workplaces and social spaces.

In our schools we have, on average, 50 recorded racist incidents a week and on our streets there are on average 9 recorded racist incidents a day. Thankfully in Scotland we did not have the race riots that they had in England but there are people in our communities that want to divide us.

Football fans can be a force for good and by being active anti-racists we can change hearts, minds and lives. Please continue to support our campaign.”

“Football is a sport for everyone,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“But racism continues to be an issue and we must all do our bit to try and help. We have to stand up and condemn it when we see or hear it.”

Football is a sport that is loved across the world and football matches should be an enjoyable experience for everyone, of all backgrounds. Education is the key and since our formation in 1996 Show Racism the Red Card has engaged with over 1 million learners.

Motherwell Football Club are proud to support the campaign to reach their next big milestone and to ensure Scotland is equipped with the tools to challenge and eradicate racism from football and society.

“We must continue to use our voice to say that racism is not welcome in football nor in society,”Motherwell FC Women captain, Gill Inglis added.

“We play a vital role as role models for the next generation, and have the responsibility to educate from the changing rooms all the way onto the pitch and in the stands. Football is a fantastic platform to drive out any racism and discrimination.

“We must stand against racism. We at Motherwell are proud to continue our support of the brilliant work carried out by Show Racism the Red Card.”

Further information:

Website: www.theredcard.org
Education Hub: www.theredcardhub.org

Video platform: www.voices.theredcard.org

Wear Red Day: www.theredcard.org/wear-red-day

And follow them on:

Instagram @SRtRCScotland 

Twitter @SRtRCScotland

Facebook.com/theRedCardScotland

Motherwell Community Trust women’s recreational side competed in a football festival.

The squad faced Celtic, Busby Girls AFC, Cumbernauld United, and Braehead in a round-robin styled festival featuring over 50-participants at Fir Park Training Centre.

The women’s recreational team are open to players at all levels of ability, with no prior experience required. The flexible matchday format features two seven-aside squads, however specific rules can be agreed before kick-off to suit certain abilities. For example, the substitution of throw-ins for kick-ins.

The squad train on Friday evening’s at the Fir Park astro – located behind the John Hunter Stand and can be accessed through the entrance to the Tommy MacLean (South) stand.

Sessions take place on:

• Friday’s: 7.00PM – 8.00PM.

If you are interested in taking part, please contact:

Nathan.Wallace@Motherwellfc.co.uk

Chief Executive Brian Caldwell discusses the decision to give Stuart Kettlewell and Stephen Frail new contracts last month at the club. Caldwell also touches on the community spirit that he saw first hand in the build up the quarter-final match against Dundee United, as well as talking about the decision to move a December fixture against Kilmarnock to the Friday night. 

He also addresses the reasoning behind the ticket pricing for the semi-final match against Rangers before finishing on the relationship he has built with the Well Society.

Motherwell Football Club Community Trust officially opened Fir Park Training Centre on Monday.

The official unveiling of the rejuvenated facility, located directly behind the John Hunter Stand at Fir Park, welcomed leading community officials including North Lanarkshire Council Provost Kenneth Duffy.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have the official opening of our training centre,” Motherwell FC Community Trust CEO Dawn Middleton emphasised.

“This was quite a long-term project and we’re incredibly grateful to the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund which we secured through North Lanarkshire Council, and the Scottish Football Association’s DCMS levelling up Facilities Fund which enabled us to fully fund the project.

“We only have this one chance to get everything in place, and it means that this is now a top-class training facility which gives so much more to our community teams, the projects we deliver and the local community in Motherwell.

“It’s an area where people can come without feeling the imposing buildings of a stadium, but this new facility, still within the footprint of Fir Park offers them that opportunity to come into a safe space where they’ll be welcomed and there are staff and projects to support them.”

The development of Fir Park Training Centre was funded by the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Funding to the tune of £215,000 with match funding, including £190,000 from the Scottish FA’s DCMS Facilities Fund, bringing the total project to just over £500,000.

The existing synthetic surface was upgraded with a new shock pad and top-quality playing surface, including new 5-, 7-, 9- and 11-a-side goals.

“Motherwell Football Club Community Trust play an absolute incredible role within the local area,” North Lanarkshire Council Provost Kenneth Duffy added.

“They do projects tackling loneliness, poverty, and inequalities in their community and these new facilities go a long way in helping improve those outcomes.

“Motherwell Football Club sit in a league of their own when it comes to community empowerment. The team here do an incredible job day in day out and we’re very lucky to have them.”

Around the pitch ball stop nets were installed along with spectator fencing to reduce incursion to the new surface.

Two brand-new storage containers were also placed at one side of the Fir Park Training Centre enabling the Community Trust to deliver a series of programmes within the ‘Well Hub’ and “Coaching Hub” facilities.

“We were absolutely delighted to have the Provost Kenneth Duffy along,” Dawn Middleton noted.

“He has been a long-term supporter of our work and has been a fantastic asset to the local authority, so to have his recognition of what we’ve built and what we’re developing for our people, that’s huge for us and it means so much that he took time out of a very busy schedule to come along and see what we do.”

The new Hubs will provide accessible facilities, with the main Trust offices being located on the top floor of the Cooper Stand. The new facility is a welcome addition and provides a fantastic facility for community teams and programmes.

“We’re absolutely delighted,” Kris Wales, Scottish FA Club Services Project Co-ordinator explained.

“It’s a brilliant facility, one we’re delighted to be able to support through funding and investment with the Scottish FA and it encapsulates exactly what the grassroots pitch and facilities fund is all about.

“The facilities funding has provided areas like Motherwell with an opportunity to provide football activity that can become the heart of a community. To be able to have that opportunity to invest in facilities is something that is incredibly important to us at the Scottish FA.

“Investment for us is about enhancing that power of football and to be able to invest into those community football spaces to provide areas for people of all ages to be part of something throughout the community. This is absolutely key to everything we’re trying to achieve within the Association.”

“Every time I come out here, there are changes and development,” Alan Morgan, Scottish FA Central Region Manager supported.

“It’s great to see how the investment we’re putting in turns into more participation of people using the facility. We’ve been on a journey within the Scottish FA for many years now to try to support and develop our clubs to be the heartbeat of the community and have that identity.

“Without a good facility that is not possible, so as we try to support the clubs on that journey, the facility development becomes really important as well.”

Douglas Dickie has resigned from his positions as Vice Chairman and Director of the club.

Comments from Douglas:

I am, with regret, announcing my resignation as Vice Chairman and Director of Motherwell Football Club Ltd with immediate effect.

In doing so I wish to thank all of the present and former staff of all departments of the Club, with whom it has and was a pleasure and privilege to work with. I would also extend that thanks to all my fellow Club Board Directors with whom I have served.

I feel I need to outline the circumstances of my departure.

I have held the position of Vice Chairman of the Club for some 8 years and also as Joint Chair of the Well Society for around the same time. I also successfully fulfilled Chairman’s duties during the then Chairs illness back in 2017 and indeed was doing so up until now in this transition period.

It is also important to note that myself, the then Chairman Jim McMahon and Club Director Tom Feely were instrumental in the complicated negotiation of the Club into fan ownership from the previous owner Les Hutchison.

Currently I am heavily involved in all aspects of the football club, working with our Chief Executive, all major departments, football, finance, commercial, ground infrastructure and I also involve myself with a number of ongoing projects within the Community Trust. During that time I have built up a mutual respect and relationship with all.

Off the field I have also built a strong relationship with all our major partners including senior figures within NLC and NHS Lanarkshire, interested commercial investors and fellow individual significant shareholders. I am also currently leading a team working on a major strategic stadium project.

I consider my 8 years serving as Vice Chairman as a success in that along with my then fellow Directors we have guided the Club through very uncertain times, Covid etc. managing to support all departments and staff whilst maintaining our SPFL Premiership Status, we helped support our football staff on our successful “home grown” policy, we have played in 2 National Cup Finals, had our European adventures and as I write looking forward to another Cup Semi Final. We also supported the growth of the Women’s Team and moved them firmly to under the Club’s banner.

Most importantly due to the prudent management by the recent Club Board, the Club is on a sound financial footing, the best for around 25years. This is now for others to take up and add to as outlined within the Well Society’s recently published Plan For Growth. I look forward to the much welcomed new investment coming to the Club under the owners’ pledges within the Plan.

Given all the above I therefore found it surprising to be told I was going to be sent a pack by a sub – committee of the Well Society Board inviting me to attend an interview by this committee to assess my suitability to go forward as an Executive Board Director. I have since been sent the pack.

The pack contained instructions for the interview process together with the roles and responsibilities of an Executive Board Director. This sub-committee does not contain anyone, a far as I know who, has sat on a football club Board of Directors.

I believe people who know me personally both within and outwith the game will fully understand, due to my own self respect and concern on the way forward, why I will not be entering into the interview process and I now consider my position untenable. I am also sure that the remaining 29% of the shareholders of the Club will be asking who in the process is looking after their interest.

I will reflect now on over 40 years of my family association with the Club and I have indeed been very proud and have considered it a privilege to serve the Club as Vice Chairman as did my late father in his many roles.

I end by wishing Motherwell Football Club all the success going forward, a Club I walked into some 57 years ago as a young 6 year old fan. I will of course continue supporting the Club from the stands.

Douglas Dickie 

The club wishes to thank Douglas for his service and wishes him the very best for the future.